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Cards Qualify Four

February 26-27, 2016
NCAA DII Super Regional East
Mercyhurst University, Erie PA

ERIE, Pa. – The growth of the Wheeling Jesuit wrestling program continued at Saturday. The 149-pound Dominick Nania highlighted the Cardinals' program-best four wrestlers qualifying to the NCAA Nationals and the team equaled its best fourth-place finish at the Super Region I Championships.

Nania pinned his way to a WJU-best third place, while Nolan Whitely (133), Sawyer Leppla (184) and Logan Bowman (285) all garnered fourth place finishes.

As a team, the Cardinals moved up from fifth to finish in fourth place with 85 points. No. 3 ranked Pitt-Johnstown bested No. 1 Notre Dame College for the top team finish, 155.5 to 143 points. Host No. 7 Mercyhurst was third (109 points).

"For us to have four guys qualify out of this region, it says a lot about where we are," pointed out WJU head coach Sean Doyle. "This is a stepping stone to what really matters, the NCAA (Division II Championship) Tournament, which we have less than two weeks to prepare for now."

The NCAA DII Wrestling Championships will be held on March 11-12 in Sioux Falls, S.D. The top four finishers from each of the four regions wrestle in the two-day event. WJU's Whitely will be the only returner to the national championships, while Nania, Leppla and Bowman make their first appearances.

After starting the day with eight of 10 entries still alive, WJU put six of them in the top five of their weight classes.

"Although, I've told our guys to expect a lot of adversity and emotions, it's always tough. With so many guys competing, you're never really happy unless all 10 reach their goals. We had a lot of emotional swings over the past few days, but I was most proud of the response," stated the Cardinals' coach.

The Cardinals' top fall artist, Nania added to his three to his season total of 15 Saturday. He finished the three-pin day with a comeback fall in 5:28 over No. 5 Travis Shaffer of UPJ, who held a 7-4 lead when the tide was turned. The junior started the day with a fall in 59 seconds over No. 8 Nikoloz Verazshvili of Ohio Valley and a second pin in 3:59 over No. 3 Seton Hill's Ty Lydic.

At 133, Whitely went 1-2 in matches, but he secured his return trip to nationals. After dropping a 9-3 decision to No. 1 Nick Roberts of UPJ, he major decisioned, 14-5, No. 7 Alex Binder (Millersville). No. 3 Joseph Calderone reversed the advantage on Whitely, who was leading the match early, into a 10-4 win in the 3rd place bout. Whitely, then, earned the 4th place finish by Rule over No. 5 Kevin Kinyua (Mercyhurst).

It was the third time as the charm for Leppla. After placing sixth in each of the last two years, Leppla won his final two matches, including an 8-4 decision over No. 3 Collin Schildt of Kutztown in the 4th place match. He took down No. 4 Angelo Bortoluzzi, 11-4, to qualify for the 4th place match.

One of the team's top late season wrestlers, Bowman bettered his pretourney ranking of No. 5 to take fourth place and a trip to nationals. The 285-pounder won two consol decision matches – 4-0 over No. 8 Logan Rimmer of Notre Dame College and 5-1 over No 7 James Louison of LIU Post. Top seed Damon Sims (UPJ) prevailed 8-3 over the WJU heavyweight in the third place match. Bowman, though, held on for a 4-0 shutout of No. 2 Tyson Searer from East Stroudsburg in the 4th place match.

Two other WJU wrestlers – Dustin Warner (125) and Terrance Fanning (197) – ended one win short of adding more team national qualifiers. Both Cardinals won their ways back to the 4th place match, but did not move on due to Rule.

Warner fell in a close 2-1 semifinal decision to No. 2 Evan Link (UPJ), before he dropped a heart-breaking 2-1 double tiebreak match to West Liberty's No. 4 Zach Brown. The sophomore did defeat No. 6 Austin Petril of Kuztown to qualify for the 4th place match.

Fanning won two of his three Saturday matches. The redshirt freshman logged a tech fall win over No. 8 Jamar Henry (Mercyhurst), 18-0 (4:46), but fell 4-1 to No. 3 Brandon Clark of Kutztown in the consol semifinal. Fanning did win 6-1 over No. 6 Jake Temple (Seton Hill), but did not was short by Rule to Clark in the 4th place decision.

Both Reyse Wallbrown (157) and Dean Meyer (174) dropped their opening consolation matches to end their seasons early on Saturday.

Team Scores
1. Pittsburgh-Johnstown 155.5
2. Notre Dame College (Ohio) 143.0
3. Mercyhurst University 109.0
4. Wheeling Jesuit University 85.0
5. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania 79.5
6. Gannon University 55.5
7. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania 52.5
8. Seton Hill University 40.0
9. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania 33.0
10. Alderson Broaddus University 32.0
11. West Liberty University 31.5
12. Long Island University/LIU Post 29.0
13. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania 25.0
14. Ohio Valley University 4.5
15. American International College 4.0

Brackets AT THIS LINK

NCAA DII Super Regional - East Results for Wheeling Jesuit University

125 - Dustin Warner (3-2) placed 5th and scored 10.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Dustin Warner (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 won by fall over Cody Buchanan (Alderson Broaddus University) 12-11 (Fall 0:51)
Quarterfinal - Dustin Warner (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 won by decision over Austin Petril (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 19-12 (Dec 4-3)
Semifinal - Evan Link (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) 26-6 won by decision over Dustin Warner (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 (Dec 2-1)
Cons. Semi - Zach Brown (West Liberty University) 4-2 won in tie breaker - 2 over Dustin Warner (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 (TB-2 2-1)
5th Place Match - Dustin Warner (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 won by decision over Austin Petril (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 19-12 (Dec 5-1)
4th Place Match - Zach Brown (West Liberty University) 4-2 won by rule over Dustin Warner (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 (RULE)

133 - Nolan Whitely (3-2) placed 4th and scored 12.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Nolan Whitely (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 won by tech fall over Jacob Monn (Alderson Broaddus University) 9-7 (TF-1.5 4:05 (19-3))
Quarterfinal - Nolan Whitely (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 won by decision over Kevin Kinyua (Mercyhurst University) 20-9 (Dec 4-1)
Semifinal - Nick Roberts (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) 14-1 won by decision over Nolan Whitely (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 (Dec 10-3)
Cons. Semi - Nolan Whitely (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 won by major decision over Alex Baider (Millersville University Of Pennsylvania) 2-3 (MD 14-5)
3rd Place Match - Joseph Calderone (Long Island University/LIU Post) 33-8 won by decision over Nolan Whitely (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 (Dec 10-4)
4th Place Match - Nolan Whitely (Wheeling Jesuit University) 3-2 won by rule over Kevin Kinyua (Mercyhurst University) 20-9 (RULE)

141 - Kollin Clark (1-2) place is unknown and scored 2.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Joseph Alessandro (Seton Hill University) 15-5 won by tech fall over Kollin Clark (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 (TF-1.5 4:58 (22-5))
Cons. Round 1 - Kollin Clark (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 won by fall over Bruno Gerardi (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 0-2 (Fall 1:10)
Cons. Round 2 - Thomas Nulty (Millersville University Of Pennsylvania) 2-2 won by tech fall over Kollin Clark (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 (TF-1.5 4:44 (19-4))

149 - Dominick Nania (5-1) placed 3rd and scored 21.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Dominick Nania (Wheeling Jesuit University) 5-1 won by fall over Chris Brent (Alderson Broaddus University) 14-7 (Fall 0:35)
Quarterfinal - Joe Esposito (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 7-10 won by fall over Dominick Nania (Wheeling Jesuit University) 5-1 (Fall 1:10)
Cons. Round 2 - Dominick Nania (Wheeling Jesuit University) 5-1 won by fall over Favian Williams (American International College) 5-7 (Fall 1:37)
Cons. Round 3 - Dominick Nania (Wheeling Jesuit University) 5-1 won by fall over Nikoloz Varazshvili (Ohio Valley University) 18-11 (Fall 0:59)
Cons. Semi - Dominick Nania (Wheeling Jesuit University) 5-1 won by fall over Ty Lydic (Seton Hill University) 22-5 (Fall 3:59)
3rd Place Match - Dominick Nania (Wheeling Jesuit University) 5-1 won by fall over Travis Shaffer (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) 17-14 (Fall 5:28)

157 - Reyse Wallbrown (1-2) place is unknown and scored 1.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Matt Martoccio (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 27-3 won by fall over Reyse Wallbrown (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 (Fall 1:40)
Cons. Round 1 - Reyse Wallbrown (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Reyse Wallbrown (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 won by decision over David Schlieper (West Liberty University) 1-2 (Dec 7-6)
Cons. Round 3 - Douglas Mele (Millersville University Of Pennsylvania) 3-3 won by decision over Reyse Wallbrown (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 (Dec 9-5)

165 - Keegan Driscoll (1-2) place is unknown and scored 0.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Mark Lentz (Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania) 2-2 won by decision over Keegan Driscoll (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 (Dec 6-4)
Cons. Round 1 - Keegan Driscoll (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 won by decision over Eduardo Ramirez (Long Island University/LIU Post) 17-19 (Dec 7-3)
Cons. Round 2 - Andrew Doak (Seton Hill University) 5-5 won by decision over Keegan Driscoll (Wheeling Jesuit University) 1-2 (Dec 3-2)


174 - Dean Meyer (2-2) place is unknown and scored 2.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Dean Meyer (Wheeling Jesuit University) 2-2 won by major decision over Kevin Knox (East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania) 0-2 (MD 15-4)
Quarterfinal - Christopher Matthews (Gannon University) 11-5 won by decision over Dean Meyer (Wheeling Jesuit University) 2-2 (Dec 5-4)
Cons. Round 2 - Dean Meyer (Wheeling Jesuit University) 2-2 won by decision over Christian Bosco (Seton Hill University) 10-9 (Dec 9-5)
Cons. Round 3 - Joseph Balboni (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 19-11 won by major decision over Dean Meyer (Wheeling Jesuit University) 2-2 (MD 18-8)

184 - Sawyer Leppla (4-2) placed 4th and scored 11.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Sawyer Leppla (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by major decision over Tyler Richardson (East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania) 1-2 (MD 16-6)
Quarterfinal - Sawyer Leppla (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by tech fall over Angelo Bortoluzzi (Mercyhurst University) 17-13 (TF-1.5 4:26 (16-1))
Semifinal - Joey Davis (Notre Dame College (Ohio)) 16-0 won by decision over Sawyer Leppla (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 (Dec 8-1)
Cons. Semi - Cody Spinks (Alderson Broaddus University) 23-2 won by decision over Sawyer Leppla (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 (Dec 8-7)
5th Place Match - Sawyer Leppla (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by decision over Angelo Bortoluzzi (Mercyhurst University) 17-13 (Dec 11-4)
4th Place Match - Sawyer Leppla (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by decision over Collin Schildt (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 15-9 (Dec 8-4)

197 - Terrance Fanning (4-2) placed 5th and scored 13.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by fall over Ben Willard (Ohio Valley University) 5-7 (Fall 4:50)
Quarterfinal - Jacob Hart (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) 10-6 won by decision over Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 (Dec 4-2)
Cons. Round 2 - Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by tech fall over Sheldon Rhoden (American International College) 18-7 (TF-1.5 2:14 (16-0))
Cons. Round 3 - Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by tech fall over Jamar Henry (Mercyhurst University) 14-17 (TF-1.5 4:46 (18-0))
Cons. Semi - Brandon Clark (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 22-5 won by decision over Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 (Dec 4-1)
5th Place Match - Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by decision over Jake Temple (Seton Hill University) 17-9 (Dec 6-1)
4th Place Match - Brandon Clark (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 22-5 won by rule over Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 (RULE)

285 - Logan Bowman (4-2) placed 4th and scored 10.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Logan Bowman (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Ryan Appleby (Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania) 17-11 won by decision over Logan Bowman (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 (Dec 7-6)
Cons. Round 2 - Logan Bowman (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by fall over Alex Soutiere (Seton Hill University) 11-15 (Fall 2:24)
Cons. Round 3 - Logan Bowman (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by decision over Logan Rimmer (Notre Dame College (Ohio)) 10-8 (Dec 4-0)
Cons. Semi - Logan Bowman (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by decision over James Louison (Long Island University/LIU Post) 18-9 (Dec 3-1)
3rd Place Match - Damon Sims (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) 29-7 won by decision over Logan Bowman (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 (Dec 8-3)
4th Place Match - Logan Bowman (Wheeling Jesuit University) 4-2 won by decision over Tyson Searer (East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania) 4-3 (Dec 4-0)


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